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One of the most common reasons for blocked drainage is root infiltration. In their quest for water roots make their way into the drainage system through tiny fissures in the pipes’ structure and in the interconnecting sections between drainage pipes.
When roots have entered the drainage system they quickly multiply and can soon engulf the space within the drain. Over time the roots will block the passage of waste water completely and the flow will be blocked. This can result in waste water back-flowing through the drain and in the worst case scenario entering the home.
Drainage companies in London will quickly be able to diagnose a drainage pipe which has been blocked by roots and have the equipment to deal with this type of problem. They can insert mechanical root cutting equipment into the pipe at the site of the blockage which can cut the roots back to the internal diameter of the pipe. A liner can then be inserted into the pipe so the roots don’t grow back and cause subsequent problems.
London drainage companies also offer services such as CCTV surveys, pipe excavation and repair and drain jetting.

It’s quite common for drains to become blocked in a big city like London. The large infrastructure puts a great degree of stress on the capital’s wastewater network. But perhaps the two most common reasons for a drain blockage are roots which have infiltrated the drainage system and fat deposits which have unwittingly been poured down the drain by local residents.
Drains blocked by roots in London
Drains can become blocked by roots when they find their way into the drainage system. All it takes for roots to infiltrate a drain is a small crack or fissure in the surface of the pipe and the roots will start to build around the pipe due to the easy supply of water. If the roots enter the pipe they will quickly grow causing a blockage. In some instances the pipes can become overwhelmed with roots and may have to be replaced, but often a spinning root cutter can be inserted into the pipe which cuts the roots away leaving the passage free again for the flow of waste water.
Drains blocked by fat in London
It’s becoming increasingly common to find drains which have become blocked by fat. Although drainage companies spend thousands of pounds every year to educate the general public what can and what can’t be inserted into the drain they still pour liquid fat into the drainage pipes. When this fat cools it solidifies and can cause a drain to become blocked. Drainage experts in London can remove this fat by flushing it through the drainage system by jetting the drain.

One of the most common problems found when investigating a blocked sewer or drainage pipe is the presence of an object in the drain that simply shouldn’t be there. Many residents in the city of London still believe that they can use the drainage systems as a way of disposing of a range of items which simply shouldn’t be flushed down the drain.
Some of the items which cause blockages in London include:
• Nappies
• Face wipes
• Sanitary wear
• Cotton buds
• Paper towel
• Clothing rags
• Fat
It’s not uncommon for drainage experts who are unblocking a drain to first have to remove an item from the drainage pipe before the free flow of waste water can be established. However using tools such as CCTV survey equipment alongside things such as the latest jetting equipment the drainage experts can solve many of the problems they find without the need to excavate the site.
Most drainage problems can be resolved at the first call out as the drainage teams in London have a vast amount of experience in what may be causing the problems and how to go about fixing it.

Residents in Aldbourne have spoken of their disgust at raw sewage flowing through their village. Thames Water has been contacted regarding the problem and has initially said that their sewer system in some regional areas was unable to cope with the amount of rainwater expected to be taken away by the drains.
An Aldbourne resident Michael Cowan said that the roads were “disgusting”. Thames Water has been sending drainage lorries to the problem to try to pump the sewage away.
Mr Cowan said:

"There's loo paper and various other things there. They're meant to be clearing all this every other day but they haven't been.
"We are lucky we [live] just that few yards further down [from the overflowing drain], but you can smell it obviously all over the village."

Thames water responded:

"While our sewer network in Aldbourne is working as it should, it is struggling with the sheer volume of water going through it after England's wettest year on record.
"The ground is already sodden, so flood water is running across the surface and into our sewers, which are designed to take waste water from homes and businesses, not rivers too.
"We are currently using tankers to take away sewage from the centre of Aldbourne while focusing our efforts to help protect people from internal flooding."

Waste water companies across the country are highlighting the problems faced by fat blocking homeowner’s drains. Pictures released by Thames Water, Yorkshire Water and Scottish Water all show what happens when homeowners unthinkingly pour waste fat down the drain – to devastating effects.
Most sewers that are filled with fat eventually block completely, which occasionally leads to putrid water flowing back though the drains and entering the home.
During the Christmas period around 25% more fat than usual is deposited in the drains and sewers across the country, which is a problem which costs the waste water companies millions of pounds to clear every year.
A spokesperson from Yorkshire Water highlighted the problem in his region, he stated:

'You just won't believe what ends up in the sewage system.
'We've even found a Christmas tree down there,'

Scottish Water’s regional community manger concurred, he said:

'There is a misconception that sewers are vast, cavernous tunnels but in truth the majority are very narrow pipes, of no more than a few inches in diameter.
'It is very easy for these narrow pipelines to become blocked, causing waste water to back up and spill, spoiling the natural environment.'

In London over 1,000 tonnes of fat are cleared from the sewers every year costing Thames Water around £12m.

Oxfordshire residents are already seeing the difference in the River Ock at Uffington after a recent sewage works upgrade.
The work at the Uffington sewage works was completed last year and has seen the installation of a new reed bed system which filters waste water before it is allowed to enter the River Ock.
The £115,600 installation provides a green solution to filtering waste water whilst also maintaining the high quality of discharged water which leaves the treatment plant. Before the new installation went live the discharged water already met regulations but the new system provides further cleaning, with less suspended solid particles and less ammonia released as a consequence.
The project manager for Thames Water Des Monger said:

"Since we installed the reed beds we've seen great improvements in the quality of water that we discharge into the River Ock.
"The new reed beds also offer a fantastic potential habitat for nesting birds and amphibians which we hope to welcome on to the site in future."

The upgrade of the Ufffington sewage works is part of Thames Water’s commitment to spend £4.9bn over the next few years upgrading and maintaining sewers, pipes and other facilities across the London drainage region.

The recent heavy rainfall has left much of the UK sodden, with gardens turned into ponds and roads awash with rainwater which cannot be taken away by the overflowing drainage system.
The rainfall levels are markedly higher at this time of year than at any point in recent history which has left many London drainage residents faced with problems caused by flooding due to swollen rivers and by sewer flooding.
In response to the heavy rainfall and the sheer number of customer calls Thames Water have received over the last couple of weeks they have released a statement on their website explaining that call times are longer than usual and sympathising with people who are suffering because of the flooding.
The statement reads:

“We are currently receiving a lot of reports from our customers about flooding and drainage problems caused by heavy recent rainfall overwhelming rivers and streams, and in turn our sewerage system in some areas.
“While our 109,000km network of sewers across London and the Thames Valley is operating largely as it should, it is struggling with the sheer volume of water going through it after one of the wettest years on record, where for December alone we are set to receive up to 200% of the average rainfall for the month.
“Ground, which is already sodden following our wettest-ever summer, is like a soaked sponge, so flood water is running across the surface and into our sewers, which are designed to take wastewater from homes and businesses, not rivers too.
“While the volume of calls we are getting from customers means our response times are likely to be slower than normal, we are trying our best to prioritise people most in need of help. We sympathise deeply with people affected by flooding, and we are doing everything we can to help where possible.”

Residents in Bookham have had to suffer “disgusting” sewer problems through the Christmas period when a drain collapse sent sewage flowing down a local road.
Sewers under Water Lane in Bookham suffered a blockage problem during the heavy rainfall the week before Christmas which totally blocked the flow of sewage through the drain. Thames Water sent several tankers to the site which spent days and nights pumping away the waste water.
Local residents have said that there is a long-standing problem with the sewer and are disappointed that Thames Water has released a statement saying that the problem will not be solved until the 19th of January.
Steven Poole lives directly opposite the manhole used to access the sewer, he spoke to the Leatherhead Advertiser, he said:

"If anyone would like to re-live the Glastonbury festival experience, come on down and have a waddle,
"My neighbour has had sewage all over his front garden and in his garage, and residents including children, elderly and disabled people on mobility scooters have to get through this disgusting sea of filth."

Thames Water is currently investigating the cause of the problem, which is likely a collapsed sewer.
Craig Rance, the Thames Water spokesperson said:

"Recent heavy rain has overwhelmed the sewerage system in Water Lane meaning the nearby pumping station has been unable to cope with the increased flows.
"We have had to use tankers to prevent any further issues with flooding but this has left the road in a very messy state, for which we are very sorry."